Import Dealers

[FICTION]

Hi, Im from Tasmania but i will be over in Melbourne this weekend looking for an R32 gtst. The only place i know of to look at cars is Japanese Sports Auto (JSA) just wondering if anyone has bought cars from them, if so any good stuff or bad stuff would be a big help and if anyone can suggest any other places that i could try would also be helpful.

[Mr. Oizo]

It's hard to say anything about JSA without slandering them

[R31Nismoid]

No slander or ill get freaky on people

[dezz]

Just PM him, or say, it is not in ones best interests to buy from jay ess ay

[FICTION]

hahaha ok so its like that hey, well can anyone point me in a better direction

[SKY031]

well can anyone point me in a better direction

sure, hit the "back" button and go check out the sticky thread titled

"Performance/import/automotive Related Links

Wreckers & workshops, Legal info etc."

We really need to find a way to make stickies fluorescent or something.

[Rekin]

This thread , http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...hl=ssv+princess ,

has some links to dealers.

One which seems to be trusted by most members is SSV on princess highway.

Hope it helps

[justin911]

need someone who can spare the warning points to slander for me

[eMsta]

Def recommend SSV - talk to mark - hes the guy who imports the car.

Kamikaze is ok, but the prices were too high imo. I got mine from GT Auto Compliance in croydon - I dont know if wayne has anymore cars now - but you are more than welcome to go check his shop out.

[Kozeyekan]

If you import, you'll have to wait, but it's cheaper than buying locally, and I beleive they're in better condition, as jap roads are much better than Aussie roads, and sadly a lot of Aussie drivers.

Try jspec.com or prestigemotorsport.com.au

I bought through J-spec and found them great, I almost bought through prestige, but the car I wanted sold, but they were fantastic.

If you want hints on importing, just PM me, and I'll tell you what I went through.

[SKY031]

Try jspec.com or prestigemotorsport.com.au

errr... dude, did you read the first post?

Those places are importers, not local dealerships.

..but moving right along,

I've seen a lot of complaints about particular dealerships, and for each of those dealerships, I've seen equal amounts of praise.

Don't let other peoples opinions put you off, go where you want, look at what you want to look at, and form your own opinions.

Many times, people base their opinions of a company on the feedback of one or two whingers who expected to pay bottom dollar for a top vehicle, and got upset when their bubble burst.

If you're buying a second hand vehicle, especially one this old, you have to expect that it will have problems at some stage, stuff will break, parts will need replacing etc.

You may get a bunch of pm's saying "don't go here, don't go there"...

My advice would be "go where you want, but don't buy unless you know EXACTLY what you're buying"

If the "dodgy" dealerships were really as bad as some people would want you to believe, word of mouth would have killed their businesses long ago.

[eMsta]

errr... dude, did you read the first post?

Those places are importers, not local dealerships.

..but moving right along,

I've seen a lot of complaints about particular dealerships, and for each of those dealerships, I've seen equal amounts of praise.

Don't let other peoples opinions put you off, go where you want, look at what you want to look at, and form your own opinions.

Many times, people base their opinions of a company on the feedback of one or two whingers who expected to pay bottom dollar for a top vehicle, and got upset when their bubble burst.

If you're buying a second hand vehicle, especially one this old, you have to expect that it will have problems at some stage, stuff will break, parts will need replacing etc.

You may get a bunch of pm's saying "don't go here, don't go there"...

My advice would be "go where you want, but don't buy unless you know EXACTLY what you're buying"

If the "dodgy" dealerships were really as bad as some people would want you to believe, word of mouth would have killed their businesses long ago.

Also be prepared to change your mind if you see a better car. EG, I went looking for an NA supra - ended up getting a 33 skyline.

[akeenan]

as jap roads are much better than Aussie roads

um? have you been to japan before? after living here for nearly 3 years i would have to disagree with you....

[dezz]

truth is there are now so many skylines here that unless you're looking for something really specific, you're probably better off getting it from here..

[FICTION]

Does anyone know anything about SEI. I know its all probly just personal oppinion but i cant really stuff up this time or my dad will kill me.

[saff_cossie]

Definately SSV and also Mark. Mine came from there and service was nothing less than excellent. Little way out of town though so assuming you have wheels of some kind to get to your original intended dealer. They are just past Chadstone on the cnr of Princes Hwy and Huntingdale Rd.

[eMsta]

Definately SSV and also Mark. Mine came from there and service was nothing less than excellent. Little way out of town though so assuming you have wheels of some kind to get to your original intended dealer. They are just past Chadstone on the cnr of Princes Hwy and Huntingdale Rd.

yep yep agreed - The places I tried were:

GT Auto (croydon)

Kamikaze motors (nunawading)

SSV (oakleigh)

gran turismo (somewhere far - i think west melbourne or something)

JSA (preston)

TGS (oakleigh)

Out of those 5 - JSA and TGS were not the best in terms of customer service. As I recall, the older guy at TGS just gave me a rotten look, almost as if to say "yeah like this guy can afford our 22 grand non turbo supra". There were 2 supras (NA and twin turbo) - I was looking at the NA closely, decided to check the twin turbo as well - the cars looked like they were in great condition, doesnt look like they had been in major accidents. But the way the guy said that the twin turbo was 30 grand was a bit rude imo. So I just told him, that I was looking for a NA but at the same time looking at the quality of the cars and whats out there. He maybe having a bad day or somthing, but i decided TGS was out (along with jsa).

Gran turismo - one of the cars from them was at GT Auto for compliance. I didnt test drive it, but I compared waynes stock vs that particular car. Interior wasnt in the best of shape. Engine looked genuine but was very very dusty. I didnt go there as such - but the prices alone was too high imo for me to even consider it.

GT Auto - wayne spent ages going through the cars, gave me a good run down on each car pretty much and wasnt really forcing me to buy the car as such. Went for 3 test drives with his stock before I decided to buy it.

SSV - mark was extremely helpful. Again not forcing me to buy or anything. Went for a test drive with one of his r33s - was in great condition - as with the other cars.

Kamikaze - Dealt with warren - cool bloke (around my age early/mid 20s). Let me know when there was stock of supras and skylines. Again, test drove 2 cars there. There was only one supra and one skyline there that didnt meet my expectations, but the others looked ok.

But in the end, went with GT Auto - the deal was too good imo. The warranty was included in the price of the car - 16800 + orcs. I think he takes orders now for imports - but may have more stock in his garage.

Edited November 21, 2006 by emsta2003

[Rekin]

ive been to;

jsa, sei, ssv, powerroad, glam imports

sei and ssv seemed to only have r33's and no r32's so did not have any discussion with them.

JSA seemed to offer the most customer service in my opinion.

He sent me emails of latest stock, followed by a phone call if anything interested me and what i was after.

At one point I asked if he could send me vin numbers of his range so i could check on FAST. He sms'd me the several vin's in less than five minutes after the call.

because he knew i was serious in buying, he put the effort to help me look through his range.

JSA seems to be one of the only importers which have a large range of r32's if you are looking for one.

Glam Imports - (http://www.glamgroups.com.au) has provided an excellent car for my friend but unfortunately I had some issues with them and had to cancel the deposit.

They have their own hoist and were happy for me to look under, take to preinspection and test drive.

When i told them I didnt want the car(after preinspection results) they refunded the deposit.

Powerroad - i think the gunmetal r32 gtst i was just about to buy is still sitting ther, 3+ months ago? Warranty is extra on price of car

Which ever dealer you go to, always demand a pre-inspection with an external workshop, usually one recommended on this forum, also indicate in any deposit agreement, that full amount will be refunded if pre-inspection finds anything. They love the cash, even if they say doesnt matter, and flash a cash deposit and they may drop the price down.

If you need anymore help just ask

edit:

in the end i went with a compliance workshop (had car listed as private sale on carsales) who occasionally imported vehicles and i have some issues to discuss with him after purchase of car

imo, dealers are looking for maximum profit and most private sellers are trying to sell their problems

Regards

- Patrick

[FICTION]

Cheers for everyones help, i guess ill just hav to bus, train and tram around melb and hopfully find something. It only seems to be JSA that have a range of R32 gtst's so i guess ill just have to look if it looks ok ill take it to a mechanic and get there opinion as im new to this and cant afford to stuff up as the bank owns me now. Just 1 other question would i get a better quality car if i get someone to import it opposed to buying from a yard. Or is it just a dodgy as buying from a yard you really dont know what legit. All im after is a stock r32 gtst, no accident history, not stolen and genuine km's if thats actually possible from what ive been reading around. but again thanks everyone for the help.

[Trooper]

I totally disagree with you.

What about those of us who paid TOP dollar for a piece of SHIT.

I bought a car that was not only not legal to drive on the road, the dealership organised the alarm for me when i asked for an alarm to be fitted so that i was covered from when the car left the gates - they made me pay $900 for someting that was not aust. standard.

12 months on and i am STILL finding things that they screwed up on.

Here is the list:

Alarm not aust. standard

Alarm not wired correctly - drained battery hence needed new battery

Spacers on front wheels meant wheel rubbed on guard.

Tires were not changed when imported - not aust. legal

No hub locaters - savage wheel shake

Cracked side skirts (they were not cracked when i test drove it)

Radio did not work (jap. version) i asked about this when test driving and they turned it off and told me it was a bad area for reception - i was stupid enough not to argue.

They gave me illegal tax advice (told me how to commit tax fraud whilst telling me it was "LEGAL" so that I could afford their marked price).

They 'forgot' to put the strut braces on and when i went back to get them they had accidentally given them to another customer.

They did not put a dump pipe in as promised

Once they had my $ they would not even respond to emails/calls and when i FINALLY got thorugh and said the wheels scrubbed out they told me "it is not a 4WD"

I was looking at legal action until I heard they have closed down twice before and just opened up under a new name. So if i took them to court and won (which I have been told i probably would) they would just close down and i would get nothing - that is how they stay in business.

When i threatened them with legal action they threatened me saying they would "countersue" FOR WHAT? they tried to scare me from taking them through court and it looks like it is not worth the effort.

If you would like to know who i am talking about you may PM me. I have other plans to get even. I will not let them get away with what they have done. I understand that buying a seocnd hand vehicle things wont be perfect. but there is a difference between that and bending over and copping it fair in the behind. I did not expect the car to be perfect, but I did expect it to be able to be driven.

I test drove the car when it was stock and then they told me there were extras they would put on. They did not tell me that the reason the car was stock is because the things they were going to put on it were not legal in aus. So they take the parts off, get it complied and then sell it. I told them i wanted it to be legal, and when i asked for a remote start alarm they told me they wouldnt get that done because it was not legal. Why all of the other illegal stuff then?

I have definately learnt a lesson now.

errr... dude, did you read the first post?

Those places are importers, not local dealerships.

..but moving right along,

I've seen a lot of complaints about particular dealerships, and for each of those dealerships, I've seen equal amounts of praise.

Don't let other peoples opinions put you off, go where you want, look at what you want to look at, and form your own opinions.

Many times, people base their opinions of a company on the feedback of one or two whingers who expected to pay bottom dollar for a top vehicle, and got upset when their bubble burst.

If you're buying a second hand vehicle, especially one this old, you have to expect that it will have problems at some stage, stuff will break, parts will need replacing etc.

You may get a bunch of pm's saying "don't go here, don't go there"...

My advice would be "go where you want, but don't buy unless you know EXACTLY what you're buying"

If the "dodgy" dealerships were really as bad as some people would want you to believe, word of mouth would have killed their businesses long ago.